Kazakh Leader Urges Kyrgyzstan To Pass Border Accord

The two signed a series of bilateral agreements on trade and the opening of their common border.

Bakiev told journalists after the talks that the two also signed an important resolution on the Supreme Interstate Council, a joint commission that would draft and discuss future agreements between the two countries.

The Supreme Interestate Council is to be headed by the presidents of both countries.

Nazarbaev later met with Kyrgyz parliament speaker Marat Sultanov and his deputies to urge that they ratify an earlier border agreement signed with Kyrgyzstan's former President Askar Akaev:

"Our border agreement has not been ratified [by the Kyrgyz parliament]," Nazarbaev said. "The agreement covers every square meter, every centimeter [of the border]. I hope the Kyrgyz parliament will consider those issues and make a decision because this is also a matter of trust -- a matter of the future of our countries."

Nazarbaev said Kazakhstan is closely monitoring political events within Kyrgyzstan and wants a peaceful resolution to turmoil there so that bilateral trade with his country can expand.

But he said Kazakhstan will respect "any path that Kyrgyzstan takes" to deal with the turmoil.

Nazarbaev was scheduled to return to Kazakhstan later today.